Four SMSU football student-athletes earn preseason honors

July 15, 2014

MARSHALL- A total of four Southwest Minnesota State University football players Tyler Tonderum, Charlie Kern, AJ Page and Donovan Woods have been cited for preseason accolades by various publications and websites this summer

Senior running back Tyler Tonderum was been named a preseason first team All-American by The Sporting News, Lindy's and USA College Football.

Tonderum, a native of Armstrong, Iowa, amassed the best season for an SMSU running back in program history in 2013. He rushed for a school record 2,145 yards (ranking second in the country), becoming just the 25th player in Division II history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. An All-American by five different organizations, Tonderum finished eighth in the voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to the top player in Division II. He rushed for more than 100 yards in 10 games, including a school record 343 yards in win at MSU Moorhead. He set six school single-season records, including rushing touchdowns with 19. Tonderum also caught 34 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown.

Junior defensive end AJ Page was named second team preseason All-American by USA College Football. A native of Minneapolis, Page led the team in 2013 in tackles (109), tackles for loss (17) and sacks (7). A second team All-NSIC South honoree last season, Page ranked third in ce in both tackles and tackles for loss and finished seventh in sacks.

Senior quarterback Charlie Kern was named third team preseason All-American by USA College Football. A native of Belle Plaine, Minn., Kern started every game last season completing 271 of 437 pass attempts for 3,156 yards and 33 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He also rushed for 460 yards and nine touchdowns. Kern's passing yards, completion percentage and passing touchdowns all rank as the third highest total in single-season team history. He earned 2013 second team All-NSIC South honors.

Junior cornerback Donovan Woods received honorable mention All-American honors from USA College Football. A native of Belleville, Wis., Woods led SMSU with four interceptions and six pass break-ups last season and ranked eighth on the team with 65 tackles, including 41 solo stops. He was named 2013 All-NSIC South honorable mention.

Southwest Minnesota State will open fall camp on Aug. 13 in preparation for the season opener on Sept. 6 at the University of Mary.